Praise is Obligatory Upon: High and Low
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In the biblical context, praise is a fundamental aspect of worship and devotion that is required of all people, regardless of their social or economic status. The Scriptures emphasize that both the high and the low are called to offer praise to God, acknowledging His sovereignty, goodness, and mercy.

Biblical Foundation

The call for universal praise is rooted in the understanding that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Psalm 148 is a quintessential passage that illustrates this concept, as it calls upon all creation to praise the Lord. Verses 11-13 specifically highlight the inclusivity of this call: "kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth, young men and maidens, old and young together. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens" . This passage underscores that both the high (kings and princes) and the low (young men and maidens) are equally obligated to praise God.

Praise from the High

Those in positions of authority and influence, such as kings, rulers, and leaders, are not exempt from the duty of praise. In fact, their position often amplifies their responsibility to lead by example in worship. The Bible provides numerous examples of leaders who praised God, such as King David, who is renowned for his psalms of praise. In 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, David offers a prayer of praise, acknowledging God's greatness and sovereignty: "Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. David said: 'Blessed are You, O LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth is Yours'" .

Praise from the Low

The call to praise is equally binding upon those of humble means or lower social standing. The Bible frequently highlights the praise offered by those who might be considered lowly in the eyes of the world. Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies this in her Magnificat, found in Luke 1:46-55, where she praises God for His mighty deeds and His favor upon the humble: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant" .

Universal Praise

The universality of praise is further emphasized in Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, which calls all nations and peoples to praise the Lord: "Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!" . This psalm reinforces the idea that praise is not limited by nationality, status, or any other human distinction.

Theological Implications

The obligation of praise for both high and low reflects the biblical principle of the equality of all people before God. It serves as a reminder that all are dependent on God's grace and mercy, and all are called to respond with gratitude and worship. This universal call to praise also points to the ultimate purpose of creation, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 148:1,11
Praise you the LORD. Praise you the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christians, Temples of the Living God
... this truth always deeply impressed upon their souls ... a perpetual sacrifice of prayer
and praise (like unto ... Lord always," are precepts equally obligatory on all ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christians temples of the living.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... And spoke the hour-glass in her praise quite out.[905]. ... to see at Durham, among other
'superstitions' 'richly embroidered IHS upon the high altar.'[918]. ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... holder of that office is mentioned with praise in the ... 989] Much, indeed, depended
upon his uprightness ... of procedure could, of course, not be obligatory, it would ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... find that to do good is incumbent upon them, but ... If the duty of Covenanting is
obligatory on an individual ... Praise, O ye servants of the Lord; praise the name of ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... Obligatory celibacy of priests 1000. ... heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not ... There is not a sect upon the earth but what rejects some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... I have heard the poems in praise of Imhotpu and ... Words," and had authority over the
high courtiers of ... Upon others devolved the task of arranging his amusements ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... observe its rites, which were no longer obligatory, as the ... Praise ye the Lord." Many
of the human race are ... the success of the gospel depends upon the sincerity ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... from improper publications, making it obligatory on them ... Lord' be more that human
ascriptions of praise, of honor ... posts, pressed the subject upon the conference ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... a necessary evil, and, on the other, a high and holy ... under the lead of its bishop,
who relied upon Matt.16 ... body as in mourning, to lay the spirit low in sorrow ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... procured for its author that need of praise that is ... by some conventional compact,
or by some obligatory principle in ... could not feel free to enter upon so great ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Resources
Why is praising God important? | GotQuestions.org

What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship? | GotQuestions.org

What are the heavenly hosts? | GotQuestions.org

Praise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Praise

Praise and Worship

Praise Dancing

Praise for God's Attributes

Praise for God's Goodness to Individuals

Praise for God's Goodness to Righteous Men

Praise in Heaven

Praise is a Part of Public Worship

Praise is Due to God on Account of all Spiritual Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of all Temporal Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of Answering Prayer

Praise is Due to God on Account of Constant Preservation

Praise is Due to God on Account of Deliverance

Praise is Due to God on Account of Fulfilling of his Promises

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Consolation

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Counsel

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Excellency

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Faithfulness and Truth

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Glory

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Goodness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Greatness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Holiness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Judgment

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Loving-Kindness and Truth

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Majesty

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Mercy

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Power

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Salvation

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Wisdom

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Wonderful Works

Praise is Due to God on Account of Pardon of Sin

Praise is Due to God on Account of Protection

Praise is Due to God on Account of Spiritual Health

Praise is Due to God on Account of The Continuance of Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of The Hope of Glory

Praise is Good and Comely

Praise is Obligatory Upon: All Creation

Praise is Obligatory Upon: All Men

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Angels

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Children

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Gentiles

Praise is Obligatory Upon: High and Low

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Saints

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Small and Great

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Young and Old

Praise of David: At the Close of his Reign

Praise of David: Celebrating his Deliverance from the Hand of Saul

Praise of David: On Bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion

Praise of Deborah, After Defeating the Canaanites

Praise of Hannah

Praise of Miriam

Praise: Acceptable Through Christ

Praise: Accompanied With Musical Instruments

Praise: Anna

Praise: Called The: Calves of the Lips

Praise: Called The: Fruit of the Lips

Praise: Called The: Garment of Praise

Praise: Called The: Sacrifice of Praise

Praise: Called The: Sacrifices of Joy

Praise: Called The: Voice of a Psalm

Praise: Called The: Voice of Melody

Praise: Called The: Voice of Praise

Praise: Called The: Voice of Triumph

Praise: Christ is Worthy of

Praise: David

Praise: Disciples

Praise: Ezra

Praise: First Converts

Praise: God is Glorified By

Praise: God is Worthy of

Praise: Hezekiah

Praise: Israelites

Praise: Jethro

Praise: Lame Man

Praise: Melchizedek

Praise: Moses

Praise: Multitudes

Praise: Offered to Christ

Praise: Paul and Silas

Praise: Priests and Levites

Praise: Psalms of, for God's Goodness to Israel

Praise: Saints should be Endued With the Spirit of

Praise: Saints should Declare

Praise: Saints should Express Their Joy By

Praise: Saints should Glory In

Praise: Saints should Invite Others To

Praise: Saints should Posture Suited To

Praise: Saints should Pray for Ability to offer

Praise: Saints should Render, Under Affliction

Praise: Saints should Show Forth

Praise: Saints should Triumph In

Praise: Shepherds

Praise: should be offered for Ever and Ever

Praise: should be offered in Psalms and Hymns

Praise: should be offered with Gladness

Praise: should be offered with Joy

Praise: should be offered with Thankfulness

Praise: should be offered with the Lips

Praise: should be offered with the Mouth

Praise: should be offered with the Soul

Praise: should be offered with the Understanding

Praise: should be offered with the Whole Heart

Praise: should be offered with Uprightness of Heart

Praise: should be offered: Continually

Praise: should be offered: Day and Night

Praise: should be offered: Day by Day

Praise: should be offered: During Life

Praise: should be offered: More and More

Praise: should be offered: Throughout the World

Praise: Simeon

Praise: Song of Moses, After the Passage Through the Red Sea

Praise: The Apostles

Praise: The Chorus when Solomon Brought the Ark of the Covenant Into the Temple

Praise: The Heavenly Host Engage In

Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Praise: Zacharias

Related Terms

Praise-offering (5 Occurrences)

Praise-offerings (2 Occurrences)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Extol (23 Occurrences)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Renown (24 Occurrences)

Corded (37 Occurrences)

Commend (22 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Psaltery (17 Occurrences)

Doxology

Comely (32 Occurrences)

Endureth (63 Occurrences)

Despair (23 Occurrences)

Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)

Thank (68 Occurrences)

Recount (39 Occurrences)

Endures (75 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Verse (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

Throng (21 Occurrences)

Tambourine (8 Occurrences)

Timbrel (7 Occurrences)

Tambour (7 Occurrences)

Ruling (123 Occurrences)

Expanse (18 Occurrences)

Door-keepers (34 Occurrences)

Desire (565 Occurrences)

Disquieted (13 Occurrences)

Dancing (21 Occurrences)

Magnify (25 Occurrences)

Moanest (3 Occurrences)

Puff (1 Occurrence)

Coastlands (29 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Commendation (2 Occurrences)

Revere (26 Occurrences)

Sea-lands (24 Occurrences)

Bent (107 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Fitting (29 Occurrences)

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Men's (76 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Cymbals (15 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Dance (18 Occurrences)

Exalt (56 Occurrences)

Mention (41 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Adoration

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

Awesome (47 Occurrences)

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)

Marvelous (30 Occurrences)

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)

Vows (38 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Evildoers (46 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Singers (41 Occurrences)

Silence (80 Occurrences)

Singing (65 Occurrences)

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)

Matter (263 Occurrences)

Shouting (83 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Tobit

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Musician (112 Occurrences)

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Gentiles
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